Unemployment numbers mixed

When compared with the same month in 2013, all 100 of North Carolina’s counties saw a decrease in the unemployment rate in January.

On the year, the jobless rate in Vance County fell 4.2 percentage points comparing January 2013 to January 2014. Granville County saw a 3.5 percentage point decrease, while Warren’s dropped 3.5 percentage points during the same period, according to a preliminary report released by the state Department of Commerce. The state saw a 2.5 percent point reduction for the same time frame.

While the yearly figures — which analysts said are a more reliable measure — showed a slow but noticeable downward trend, the monthly numbers weren’t as favorable for the Tri-County.

From December 2013 to January 2014, Vance County’s jobless rate increased from 9.2 percent to 9.7 percent, Warren County’s from 9 to 9.4 percent and Granville County’s from 6.8 to 7.1 percent. The state unemployment rate in January was 7 percent, a slight increase from December’s rate of 6.6 percent.

But it wasn’t all bad news; Vance County — which had previously ranked among the state’s worst at 91 out of 100 counties — climbed up to 87. Warren County ranked 81, while Granville County shot up to 35.